For Firefighters, Getting to Emergency Half the Danger

According to the statistics kept by the U.S. Department of Labor, firefighters have quite literally the most dangerous jobs in America. And, half of that danger occurs on the way to the scary stuff they have to deal with. That’s because fire trucks are frequently involved in collisions enroute. On the evening of Tuesday, March 29th, an HFD engine was responding to an auto-pedestrian hit-and-run alongside N. Eldridge Parkway in west Houston. The fire truck was turning into an apartment complex parking lot when it was struck broadside by a Jeep Wrangler. A firefighter was injured in the crash and had to be treated along with the original pedestrian victim. Investigation continues as to the cause of the mishap.

            It’s the law that drivers have to slow down in the vicinity of emergency vehicles with lights showing and, as a practical matter, it is a very inattentive driver who cannot see a fire truck ahead, which is lit up like an enormous blinking Christmas display. Yet, as I mentioned, these sorts of collisions are surprisingly common. So, if you see a fire truck ahead, whether moving or parked, do the brave folks on it a huge favor and slow down!